I
once read that Rick Stein noted the strong brunch culture in Australia and I
would have to agree – Australian’s LOVE their brunch, especially on weekends,
and enjoyed at any time of the day. It has to be both the Husband’s and my
favoured meal/style of food, and the most oft-seen meal on this blog. Brunch is
a little bit special, a little bit indulgent and, most of all, about being
relaxed and without time constraints.

So
where to for brunch? It may be the newest, trendy “it” café with queues as far
as the eye can see, or it may be a stone’s throw from your doorstep where
you’re recognised by the staff. Everyone has a favourite café, but that may
change depending on mood, weather, tiredness and proximity. Cafés are found in
pretty much every suburb and competition is fierce, so the inaugural Australian Café of the Year Award is a great way for
your café to make their mark especially if they are a low-key local haunt
rather than the latest buzz.

The
Café of the Year Award began its life in New Zealand a couple of years ago and
has seen winners go from a local secret to acclaimed fame. Sponsored by Heinz and
Don in Australia, any café could enter by creating a dish featuring ingredients
from the sponsors. The downside is that cafés exclusively using other brands
were precluded from competition, but the upside is that smaller, unknown venues
who would otherwise not receive any mention were in with a chance.

PPR kindly invited a few hungry stomachs to try
3 café entrants in and around Sydney’s CBD. Admittedly I hadn’t heard of any of
them and sadly none of these made the finalists list. That’s not something that
should stop anyone from trying them out though, coz you never know what hidden
gems you may uncover.

Bar
Milazzo

A
CDB haunt with lots of corporate suit-types, this place is perfect for people
watching and tuning out from the area’s hustle and bustle. Their entry into the
compeition was a tomato baked eggs with sausage and toast.

Berkelouw
Books, Paddington

A
café set on the upstairs level of a bookstore – a definite escape within the
city! It’s quiet and tranquil and, for me, time stands still when browsing
books (and stationery). Check out the late opening hours below, which would for
a great location to sit and chat over coffee.

Their
entry was also a tomato baked eggs with sausage, but with beans added to the
mix.

All
entrants were open to voting by the public, which saw the number whittled down
to 21 finalists with 3 from each Australian region. Check out the finalists and see if your
favourite café made the list. If not, you should be visiting them more often and
telling everyone about it! You can also see what the fuss is about at the venues
who did make the finals. (As an ex-Shire girl, I’m excited to see a café down
that way as 1 of the 3 NSW/ACT finalists!)

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About Me

Mademoiselle Délicieuse is Rita. Wife to the ever-patient Monsieur Poisson. Mother to the Mini-human. Australian-born but Hong Kong-Chinese at heart. Loves all things French. Tries to find time to be a food blogger.

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DISCLAIMER

All comments and opinions expressed on this blog belong to the author and no one else. Each blog entry is a personal anecdote and is published for entertainment purposes only. No payments or incentives have been received by the author in exchange for the comments and opinions expressed unless otherwise stated. All pictures published can be accredited to the author's own shonky photography skills.